Joel Gabrelow, longtime gold and rare coin expert, author and scholar, has joined Heritage Auctions as a consignment director operating out of the company’s Dallas headquarters.

Gabrelow has been active in the coin hobby since 1964 when, at age the age of 14, he opened a coin department within a sporting goods store that eventually expanded into major rare coin and bullion exchanges in Los Angeles. In addition, he formerly held a prominent appraisal position with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as well as serving as a senior vice president of a collateral loan division for two commercial banks.

“We are excited to add Joel to our growing roster of accomplished numismatists,” said Greg Rohan, president of Heritage Auctions. “Not only is he an expert in growing areas of the business, he’s an entrepreneur and an ideal fit for our ambitious numismatic goals.”

As a specialist in condition rarities of U.S. type gold, Gabrelow oversaw the purchase of the rare uncirculated 1902-S $5 U.S. Liberty in October of 1982 from the Louis Eliasberg Bowers & Ruddy Sale in New York. Years later the coin was graded MS-69 by PCGS with a population of 1 and is considered the finest known to exist.

He has been a life member of the American Numismatic Association since 1981 and has authored three articles for Coin Dealer Newsletter on “U.S. Gold Type Coins Part I and II” and an article on “Numismatics and Banking.” He joined the Industry Council for Tangible Assets in 1983.